From the Editors: More people seeking COVID-19 tests in UAE a positive sign

MORE PEOPLE SEEKING COVID-19 TESTS IN UAE A VERY POSITIVE SIGN: Over the last few weeks, COVID-19 test centres all across the UAE have seen a sharp increase in the number of people seeking to be tested for the virus. With more people getting tested, obviously, the number of positive cases have shot up drastically in recent weeks. However, the brighter, and more significant, part of this narrative is that an increase in the number of tests conducted is a reflection of the public’s eagerness to find out whether they are infected or not. That is a very definitive sign of an increase in awareness among the public. Getting oneself tested for COVID-19 is the first step towards dispelling all doubts about one’s current health status with regard to the virus and if more people are getting tested then it is also a reflection of their confidence in the world-class health infrastructure that this country offers. [COMMENT BY: Sanjib Kumar Das, Assistant Editor]

NEW INAUGURATION, NEW THREATS IN THE US. As the date for the inauguration of the new US President nears, so are concerns about insider attacks or other threats from service members involved in securing the event. This is a new turn of events that have come to light after the attack on the Capitol on January 6. It is unfortunate that forces who are in charge of security now have to be vetted before a major occasion. It also shows the concerns that have gripped Washington and underscores the fears that people assigned to protect a city could themselves pose a danger. Along with this comes the threat of external attacks. In short, the authorities have their hands full and will need to take all precautions to ensure that the swearing-in ceremony of Joe Biden goes off well. [COMMENT BY: Alex Abraham, Senior Associate Editor]

CHILE FOREST FIRE CONTINUES TO RAGE: The forest fire in Chile’s Quilpue city - believed to have been started deliberately - has turned the sky red. 25,000 residents will need to be evacuated in the Valpraiso region as fires tear through their homes. So far, no injuries have been reported but with the fire blazing through more than 3,200 hectares of forest (the equivalent of 3,000 football stadium…), the situation looks bleak. Hundreds of firefighters are at the scene and it will take every effort to bring it under control. But there are other issues to contend with too; wildfires emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases which warm up the planet and climate change creates conditions that favour wildfires. It seems like a no win situation. Though there are some benefits to forest fires (they help to kill disease and provide nutrients for new generations of growth) nobody is thinking about that right now in Chile.[COMMENT BY: Imran Malik, Assistant Editor]

MANCHESTER UNITED MISS GREAT OPPORTUNITY: Manchester United may have held on to top spot in the Premier League following their 0-0 draw with Liverpool at Anfield, but rather than be delighted, fortunes have shifted so much at the Old Trafford club that this must go down as a missed opportunity. Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker pulled off a great save from Paul Pogba’s effort to keep the game goalless and United had the better chances to overcome their old rivals. Those shared points also played into Manchester City’s hands, as they powered into second place with a 4-0 rout of Crystal Palace on Sunday. The title race is well and truly wide open. [COMMENT BY: Matthew Smith, Sports Editor]

‘TANDAV’ AT THE CENTRE OF THE STORM: Security has reportedly been beefed up outside Saif Ali Khan’s Mumbai home as the ‘Tandav’ brouhaha continues to snowball, with police complaints filed and threats to arrest the makers of the Amazon Prime show. This isn’t the first time that Khan and Amazon have faced threats over hurting religious sentiments in India, but things have escalated swiftly since the show’s January 15 release with protests planned against the streaming platform in several Indian states. Khan and the makers have yet to issue a statement, with the actor also anticipating the birth of his second child with Kareena Kapoor Khan. Yet, even as a movement to ban the show gathers steam on social media, several others are also questioning whether such an escalation is warranted keeping creative liberties in mind. While the debate continues online, one can only hope that the situation diffuses before someone gets hurt. [COMMENT BY: Bindu Rai, Entertainment Editor]